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Keeping our Lenten promises |
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Written by Angela Kessler
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Saturday, 27 February 2010 00:00 |
At the beginning of Lent, we are all trying very hard to make ourselves better through prayer, penance and almsgiving. However, I’m sure (I hope) I’m not the only one who struggles during these 40 days to continue the practices we begin in earnest on Ash Wednesday.
One of the issues I’m having trouble with already is keeping a positive outlook and remembering to see God in everyone. Some days are easier than others and it is no doubt easier to see God in some people than it is in others.
 This was especially difficult for me within the first few days of the Lenten season when all the television news channels were clamoring about Tiger Woods’ first public statement after his Thanksgiving fiasco and subsequent sex addiction rehabilitation.
My first reaction: I couldn’t believe that local news stations planned to run his statement live and I couldn’t understand why in the world this would be the lead story on national morning news programs. Really? Why?
Then I started thinking about Tiger and his “addiction.” Is it real or is it just a convenient moniker for lack of self control? And then, I wondered why the American public really needs to know so much about Tiger’s (or any celebrity’s) personal life. (Notice I didn’t include politicians in this category, because I believe we should know the kinds of morals and ethics of the men and women who represent us and create laws.)
But the question remains: Why do we need to know so much about Tiger’s personal life? Or Brad and Angelina’s marital problems. Or what the Kardashian family is up to. Or the divorce of Jon and Kate. Or who Jon is dating this week. The list could go on and on.
I suppose digging deeper, we might find good reasons for the plethora of celebrity news (gossip). For one, it seems to help drive home the fact that we really don’t need to idolize celebrities. Unfortunately, this is a double-edged sword. We do want great role models for our society — people that act in a way that gives us something to emulate. But there’s a fine line between admiring good qualities in others and hero worship.
When personal shortcomings are exposed, I suppose most of us would be less likely to idolize celebrities. But could it also teach impressionable young people that these behaviors are OK?
Seeing those in the public eye take missteps in their lives can also teach us quite a bit. Depending on the honesty and grace in which they overcome obstacles, their actions can be inspiring. It could also remind us that we are all flawed and that we need to be forgiving as the Gospel of Matthew reminds us: “Then Peter approaching asked Him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often should I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ ” (Mt 18:21-22)
Here, then, we are reminded that there was only one man who walked the face of the earth that was perfect and only one that we are to idolize and worship. It was this man that told us, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40) And it is in these words that we are reminded to see Him in everyone we encounter.
May we all grow in faith during this Lenten season.
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Last Updated on Saturday, 27 February 2010 00:00 |
